Wednesday, March 17, 2010

A nearly private concert

My cousin, Bonnie, has become a musician, playing with a number of groups in Billings, Montana. She plays bass, fiddles some, some keyboard, maybe a little guitar and Lord knows what else. She and a group of friends decided a trip to the Southwest was due and they arrived this evening. After dinner, we all repaired to their motel where they had imposed on the night manager to allow them to do some pickin' in his lobby.

They are, from left to right, Larry, Cousin Bonnie, Clayton and LaLonnie.

LaLonnie plays a mandolin which was made for her by another friend in Montana.

Larry is a fine singer and guitar player as well as the comic virtuoso of the group. (Ask him to sing "I Don't Look Good Naked Anymore!")

Clayton is the true professional musician of the group, playing guitar and mandolin and singing with a sweet tenor voice.

Everyone sings. LaLonnie and Bonnie combine for some beautiful duos.

Several people wandered through the lobby during their one-hour pickup concert. During a break, one pleased young man said "I thought it was the radio!"

These talented musicians are on their way to Scottsdale where they have a couple of gigs planned, then home again to Montana.

Lot of talent up there in Montana.

11 comments:

  1. I can hear them strumming and humming and having a whole lot of fun from here in Oregon,

    Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body.
    ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

    Joanny
    http://thedowsersdaughter.blogspot.com/

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  2. What about that! A coincidence indeed! It's a long bus ride from Montana to Nashville but maybe they'll be tempted!

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  3. I would have loved to wander in on this concert!

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  4. Joanny - Good advice from old Oliver.

    Vicki - I know Cousin Bonnie and a friend have driven there once or twice. Like Texans, those Montanans are used to long drives.

    Judy - I wish you could have been there, too.

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  5. That brings back so many memories. When I still lived in NYC ( a long, long - even longer - time ago)I managed a country Western band - The Concrete Canyon Boys. WE had some great times.

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  6. i am pleased that the music of our generation continues to be treasured...there are concerts and then there are hoedowns ...
    each with it's place :)
    and both brings a smile to my face :)

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  7. Martha - I think anyone who has been involved with music in any way has had some great times.

    Muse - Coming home, SWMBO remembered that when she was 1 year old, there was a family trip back to Virginia . . where her father originated . . and the kids were left with relatives while the parents went to a small pick-up concert by the then-virtually-unknown Carter Family! What a treat that must have been.

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  8. Good, bad or otherwise, I just love live music. I would especially love it if it were being played in my kitchen.

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  9. Sandy - We were definitely a captive audience and loved every minute of it.

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  10. I can imagine they had a great time and the hotel mgr.had to enjoy the free entertainment too. What fun they must have on long drives. Great photos too

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  11. Pat - They do seem to have a great time. They're pretty much amateurs so they frequently set up gigs in restaurants where they "play for food"! Sounds like a great idea to me.

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